Upper Pelzer

About Upper Pelzer

The primary purpose of Upper Pelzer is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Consolidated Hydro Southeast, Llc (private). It impounds the Saluda River near Lower Pelzer Dam.

The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 410 square miles. Completed in 1881, the structure is over a century old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/12/2022.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The South Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

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